The present invention concerns a lighting device comprising a source for generating electromagnetic radiation, and a beam shaper which is so arranged and adapted that in operation of the lighting device it spatially expands the electromagnetic radiation issuing from the source. In comparison therewith the object of the present invention is to provide such a lighting device which ensures eye safety even when the beam shaper is detached or damaged. For that purpose it is proposed according to the invention that the lighting device has a sensor which is so adapted that in operation of the lighting device it detects a state of the beam shaper, wherein the sensor and the source are so operatively connected together and adapted that if during operation of the lighting device the state of the beam shaper changes in such a way that electromagnetic radiation could issue from the lighting device without the beam shaper being in the beam path of the electromagnetic radiation the source is switched off.